Populus is a relaxed, design led café on High Street in Berwick, built around the idea of a place where you can simply be yourself among friends and family. Set across a generous 120 seat venue, it pairs an all day brunch menu with speciality coffee poured from a three group Slayer Espresso, including a rotating selection of single origins. The space is as considered as the food. A curved counter trimmed with potted greenery and high stools invites guests to settle in over a brew and watch the street go by, while inside the white subway tiles, trailing plants and warm table settings carry an easy, social buzz. The kitchen is the heart of it all, sending out everything from corn fritters with kasundi, lemon labneh, quinoa herb salad, avocado, poached egg and bacon, to a smoked salmon nourish bowl layered with edamame, black rice, kimchi and miso caramel, and finishing on the sweeter side with chocolate pancakes, berry compote and white chocolate cremeux. We are now looking for a dedicated Cook to bring skill and consistency to a busy, quality focused brunch service.
Cook — Populus Berwick, VIC
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and cook dishes across our all day brunch menu, ensuring each plate is consistent with Populus standards and ready for a high volume service.
- Inspect incoming produce and ingredients on delivery, checking freshness and quality before they are accepted into the kitchen.
- Plate and portion each dish with care, finishing with the appropriate sauces, dressings and garnishes so it leaves the pass looking its best.
- Season dishes throughout the cooking process to achieve a balanced and well rounded flavour true to each recipe.
- Set and adjust the temperatures of ovens, grills and other cooking equipment so every item is cooked correctly and safely.
- Accommodate special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and allergy conscious adjustments, without compromising on taste or presentation.
- Store ingredients and prepared items correctly in temperature controlled fridges and freezers, applying proper labelling and stock rotation to maintain freshness and food safety.
- Assist with planning and refreshing menu items and estimating the quantity of ingredients required, helping keep ordering accurate and waste to a minimum.
- Guide and support junior kitchen staff and apprentices, sharing techniques and helping maintain pace and quality during service.
- Carry out mise en place and section preparation ahead of trade so the kitchen is fully set for each shift.
- Uphold strict hygiene, cleanliness and food safety practices across all kitchen areas, in line with Australian food handling standards.
Skills and Experience
- A minimum of one year of relevant experience in a comparable kitchen environment.
- An AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or an AQF Certificate IV.
The Role
This is a full-time position of approximately 38 hours per week. Reporting to the kitchen leadership, the successful applicant will take ownership of preparing and delivering our menu to a high standard while helping the kitchen run smoothly through service.
Personal Attributes
- Calm and organised under pressure, with the ability to keep quality high during busy brunch periods.
- A reliable team player who communicates well and supports those around them.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to cleanliness and standards.
- Willing to learn, adapt and contribute ideas to the menu and the wider team.
Remuneration
We are offering the successful applicant a salary of $75,000 to $85,000 plus superannuation per annum.
If you take pride in your craft and want to be part of a welcoming, design led café known for its food and coffee, we would love to hear from you.
Pay: $75,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
